Just Because I Like Them

A post about giraffes? Yes, just because I like them. I think it's because of their color. I love any shade of orange/rust/brown. Maybe it's their unique body shape or the lovely pattern on their spots. I recently discovered that a giraffe is not simply a giraffe. There are six rather distinct (at least to another giraffe anyway) varieties.

From top: Rothschild's, West African, Reticulated, Masai, Cape and Angolan . They vary only slightly in pattern/color but it was very interesting to learn this.

I've been making doll clothes lately too. Not that I make any money selling these, but just because I like them! A princess seamed 1893 gown. Maybe now that I've finally drafted some patterns that fit this doll, she may get a more complete wardrobe.

The weather has been brutally hot and humid this past week so I actually hid inside under the ceiling fan with a bit of...............hahhhhhhhhh, is it really true???????????

CROSS-STITCH. A little Patriotic finish from "The Sampler Girl" and a start on "Quaker Friendship Sampler" by The Goode Huswife. I'm using Threadworx "Morning Garden" on 28 count cream linen.

During my breaks from stitching and admiring giraffes I made a little blueberry cake. Much more blueberries then cake in this one! I even ventured into the mysterious world of yeast dough. Barbara, I curse in your general direction for getting me hooked on this. Now my freezer is filled with little bags of pizza dough-balls. I had much better luck with the white flour variety then with the whole wheat. Can anyone explain this to me?

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Yeah, RAIN!!

I'm not usually a big fan of rain, although I do love a good rumbling thunderstorm every once in a while. It finally rained last night.

Since I got around to planting the vegetable garden last week I was dreading having to drag buckets of water out there. What about the garden hose, you say? Well, our garden hose only gives hot water. One of the (many) pitfalls of getting that "friend of a friend" to fix the plumbing last year. I've had many a nice dream about installing a huge in-ground swimming pool and then joyfully filling it from our steaming garden hose. No such luck on that one though.

My latest gardening venture has been "fairy gardens". To me they look more like dollhouse settings moved outside.....so that's exactly what I did.

A bit difficult to see the little bench and the wheelbarrow from this photo. Finished another pair of what I call "crock socks". They are soft , comfortable and cottony. This pair knitted from Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Collection Garden Yarn in "Sea". Immediately started another pair from Plymouth Happy Feet color #25You would think they could come up with a wonderful name for this amazing color combination. Something more exciting then #25.

The rainy weather brought me indoors earlier then usual and I was finally able to get over procrastinating and finish a Summer dress for my 16" doll. This one is circa 1895 of a finely striped cotton.Oddly enough there has been no cross-stitch going on. I did start another gymnast design but I haven't photographed her yet. Waiting for the inspiration (or Crafting A.D.D.) to hit me.

The pets continue to thrive although they are not too fond of this hot, humid weather. Lots of lounging and relaxing going on.